COACH Mark Neeld has given a glowing endorsement of the leadership shown by Jack Grimes and Jack Trengove in their first season as co-captains.
Speaking after Melbourne’s 25-point loss to St Kilda at the MCG on Saturday, Neeld said the young duo had led from the front in an otherwise tough season for the club.
Grimes had 29 disposals and Trengove had 22 touches against the Saints.
“Grimesy had his 50th match and Trenners is about that same mark and they’re the guys who are leading the way,” Neeld said.
“They’re doing an outstanding job and we’ve got young individuals - mostly - driving standards within the footy club - and that’s been going on for 100 years.
“The way that the players fought their way back into the game in the second quarter and the last quarter, there was a bit of discipline and courage and all of those types of words in that.”
Although St Kilda kicked eight in a row from the nine minute mark of the third quarter until the first goal of the final term, Neeld was pleased with his side’s ability to hit back.
The Demons kicked eight of the last 11 goals, including five in a row from the 16 minute mark until the 29 minute mark of the last quarter.
“There were a whole of heap of positives. The effort of our boys was outstanding,” Neeld said.
“Contested possessions were good, and we competed really well in all the structural stuff. We had a couple of good offensive quarters, and you can’t ask any more from an effort point of view.
“The stage of development we’re at - we don’t spend the day looking at the scoreboard. That just reports on what’s going on.
“For the most part, it was a bit of an arm wrestle and we hung on to put some scoreboard pressure on.”
Neeld said reigning best and fairest winner Brent Moloney, who was subbed off at three quarter-time, had a tough day at the office against the St Kilda midfield.
“[He needs to] keep working hard - not too many people get better at whatever their chosen occupation is by just sitting in the corner and turning up. So they’re going to have to keep working hard,” he said.
“Brent was down today, but in saying that, in the St Kilda midfield, there are good players there - [Nick] Dal Santo, [Leigh] Montagna, [Lenny] Hayes and [Brendon] Goddard … Brent was unable to find the footy for the first three quarters.
“Keep working hard and that’s what this game is all about.”
Speaking after Melbourne’s 25-point loss to St Kilda at the MCG on Saturday, Neeld said the young duo had led from the front in an otherwise tough season for the club.
Grimes had 29 disposals and Trengove had 22 touches against the Saints.
“Grimesy had his 50th match and Trenners is about that same mark and they’re the guys who are leading the way,” Neeld said.
“They’re doing an outstanding job and we’ve got young individuals - mostly - driving standards within the footy club - and that’s been going on for 100 years.
“The way that the players fought their way back into the game in the second quarter and the last quarter, there was a bit of discipline and courage and all of those types of words in that.”
Although St Kilda kicked eight in a row from the nine minute mark of the third quarter until the first goal of the final term, Neeld was pleased with his side’s ability to hit back.
The Demons kicked eight of the last 11 goals, including five in a row from the 16 minute mark until the 29 minute mark of the last quarter.
“There were a whole of heap of positives. The effort of our boys was outstanding,” Neeld said.
“Contested possessions were good, and we competed really well in all the structural stuff. We had a couple of good offensive quarters, and you can’t ask any more from an effort point of view.
“The stage of development we’re at - we don’t spend the day looking at the scoreboard. That just reports on what’s going on.
“For the most part, it was a bit of an arm wrestle and we hung on to put some scoreboard pressure on.”
Neeld said reigning best and fairest winner Brent Moloney, who was subbed off at three quarter-time, had a tough day at the office against the St Kilda midfield.
“[He needs to] keep working hard - not too many people get better at whatever their chosen occupation is by just sitting in the corner and turning up. So they’re going to have to keep working hard,” he said.
“Brent was down today, but in saying that, in the St Kilda midfield, there are good players there - [Nick] Dal Santo, [Leigh] Montagna, [Lenny] Hayes and [Brendon] Goddard … Brent was unable to find the footy for the first three quarters.
“Keep working hard and that’s what this game is all about.”
